Golden Jubilee:

Sujatha Vidyalaya, standing tall

by Rupa Banduwardane

Getting away from the busy city life of Colombo, driving along High Level Road, from Nugegoda, nobody can miss the school which needs no introduction. It is none other than Sujatha Vidyalaya which has continued to remain the undisputed educational giant for decades.

A view of the school

This year marks a major milestone in the history of the school, which celebrates the Golden Jubilee beginning June 1 2015-2016.

Sujatha Vidyalaya with its proud beginnings, wonderful present and a hopeful future has made a remarkable contribution to education, as is evident from the series of events carried out to commemorate the anniversary. Celebrations were held throughout the period, beginning with the Pirith ceremony.

Since the inception of the school, the Sinhala Buddhist culture continued to be nourished and subsequently, enriched with the passage of time.

Sujatha Vidyalaya is a school founded on the noble principles of Buddha Dhamma named after the gracious lady, Princess Sujatha (Situ Duwa) who offered milk rice to the Buddha before he attained enlightenment. The promotion of Buddhist cause was nothing new to the founder, the late Linton Kuruppu during whose regime the school enjoyed the eminent reputation of being a leading Buddhist school.

Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera, ceremonially opening the statue of the founder, the late Linton Kuruppu, said, a school with small beginnings through the years, has come a long way and today stands tall among all other schools, including international schools.

The next event was the Sujatha Golden Parade and the mini carnival, held on August 1 2015, with the participation of the Managing Director, the Principal, the two vice Principals, sectional Heads and members of the School Development Society.

The carnival was fantastic with trade stalls of various items, games and other activities. It was aimed at inspiring Sujathians to a lifelong love for education, guiding them to step into the world with courage and confidence.

Another event was the Sujatha Walk, commencing from the main entrance of the school, and proceeding up to the BRC Grounds, Colombo. Around 3,000 participated, comprising the Principals, staff and students, past Principals, past pupils, parents and well wishers.It is not all, the Prize Giving and the Sports Meet were held with splendour, depicting the Golden Jubilee spirit everywhere.

The primary school prize giving 'Achievers Day' was held at Navarangahala displaying the history of the school to upcoming Sujathians in a true Jubilee garb.

Sujatha Vidyalaya, during its long history of five decades is blessed with a countless number of past pupils, many of whom have reached the highest level in the professional field not only in Sri Lanka, but all over the globe.

The glittering dinner dance celebrated in gala fashion by the Past Pupils' Association was truly a memorable event and a fitting occasion to honour their Alma Mater in recognition of five decades of excellence in education, recollecting the sweet fragrance of the days gone by, at their Alma Mater. Sujatha Vidyalaya gives prominence to Buddhist tradition and moral values. Dhamma sermons, sil campaigns, Pindapatha wadeema, donations to the cancer hospital and elders' homes and Bakthi Gee performed in a spirit of mutual affection and goodwill are some of the regular events. This year, to mark the Founders Day, the school issued a Golden Jubilee Commemorative stamp, inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Minister of Posts, Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs, Abdul Haleem. Managing Director, Lakshman Kuruppu, in his eloquent speech illustrated how Sujatha climbed the ladder to reach the summit of achievement.